Bottle tree

The bottle-tree (Pachypodium lealii) is one of the northern Namib's most characteristic features. It has a thick, 'often-disturbed' stem, with long, spiny, drooping branches. Adult bottle-trees can grow up to 2-3m tall, adding to their unmissable qualities. They bear beautiful, hand-sized white flowers with longish, paired fruits. The bottle-tree is a protected species and listed on Cites 2.

Pachypodium lealii can only survive in rocky locations of north-western Namibia and southern Angola; the only know plant range for this plant. There are 2 known species occurring in Namibia and the plant has been used to treat ear infections and wounds, and for the Bushmen to make poison for arrows.